Indian Migrants Advised Not To Take Up Fishing Jobs In Saudi, Bahrain, UAE

Indian migrants have been advised to avoid taking up fishing jobs on trawlers or vessels that move towards Iran from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain citing a special advisory released by the Protector General of Emigrants.

All registered recruitment agents and Protector of Emigrants offices in India have been asked not to process applications from potential migrants looking for jobs on fishing vessels in the said countries.

The move comes in the wake of several reports that indicated many Indian fishermen were held in Iranian jail after their vessels allegedly ventured into Iranian waters.

“They are kept under custody in Iranian ports by the country’s Coast Guard, and it takes months for the fishermen to prove their innocence and reach their destination,” the report said.

Sr Josephine Valarmathi of National Domestic Workers Movement in Chennai, who have worked on the release of such fishermen said a blanket ban wouldn’t do any good. “ It’s the right of person to migrate and find a job. Government should not stop them by putting a blanket ban,” she told.

Arul Antony from the National Domestic Workers Movement says that a better solution would be to work on India-Iran bilateral treaties.